Compound Valve Assembly for Selective Fluid-Chamber Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves used in inflatable devices and other applications are often unreliable and difficult to operate, leading to issues with fluid communication control, especially in devices requiring selective isolation of fluid chambers for improved user comfort and device integrity.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a plurality of compound valves, where primary and secondary valve members are movable between closed and open positions, controlling fluid communication between fluid chambers by orienting the valve assembly within the device, allowing for selective fluid isolation through flipping or rotating the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional valves are used in inflatable devices, then the device structure is simple, but the valve reliability is poor and operation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into multiple independent compound valves, each with primary and secondary valve members that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each valve to be simplified in design while the overall system achieves high reliability through redundancy and independent control of multiple fluid pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly employs a nested structure where secondary valve members are positioned within the flow path controlled by primary valve members. Each compound valve contains nested valuation stages - the primary valve controls a first fluid pathway while the secondary valve controls a second fluid pathway that branches from the first, creating a nested control architecture that improves reliability without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional valves are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the ease of operation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components including primary and secondary valve members that can be dynamically positioned to control fluid flow. The biasing mechanism provides dynamic force to maintain valve members in desired positions, enabling easy operation through simple actuation while the modular design facilitates manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
A biasing mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the valve members and the valve body, providing automatic positioning and sealing forces. This intermediary component simplifies operation by eliminating the need for complex actuation systems while maintaining manufacturability through the use of standard spring or elastic biasing elements.
3Reliability
If conventional valves are used, then the device structure is simple, but the fluid communication control is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid communication control is segmented into multiple independent pathways, each controlled by compound valves with primary and secondary valve members. This segmentation ensures that failure or improper operation of one valve does not compromise the entire fluid control system, achieving reliable control through distributed independent control rather than a single complex valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested valve structure provides multiple levels of fluid control - the primary valve member controls the main fluid pathway while the secondary valve member controls a branched pathway. This nested arrangement creates redundant control mechanisms where each level can independently manage fluid flow, significantly improving the reliability of fluid communication control without requiring an overly complex external control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for controlling fluid communication between fluid chambers in a device such as an inflatable device includes a valve body having first and second ports for fluidly connecting to first and second fluid chambers, and defining a plurality of primary valve seats in series between the ports. A plurality of compound valves are within the valve body and each includes a primary valve member movable to close or open one of the primary valve seats, and a secondary valve member movable to close or open a secondary valve seat in the primary valve member.